Chapter 36 Chapter Thirty six
" Miridath." I let out a breath I didn't even realise I was holding in until now. My stomach felt twisted in knots and my hands felt clammy. I wasn't nervous or anything, but it was something I've felt before. A prickling sensation under my skin I felt when I was silently overwhelmed.
"I-..oh my" Miridath exclaimed when she met my gaze. "Your eyes." She let out an airy breath of surprise, her voice full of awe and confusion and I turned my face away from her to hide them.
"It...it does that sometimes," I said, unsure if it was convincing enough. I couldn't really explain to her why my eyes glowed like Amethyst or Tanzanite, because even I couldn't understand why it happened either.
"I-i see."
She didn't press me, and I was grateful. When I finally found my bearings, I took a deep breath and turned to face her with normal eyes.
"Could you not...tell anyone about this?" I asked. I could see the uncertainty in her expression and I stepped forward, pleading. "Please."
She eyed me curiously and after a long moment, she let out a sigh and then nodded. "I saw nothing."
Her words warmed my chest and I smiled. "Thank you, Miridath."
Miridath moved further into the room, setting the fabric down on the chair. It looked like another dress. Deep blue this time, with delicate embroidery along the neckline.
"You seem tense, is all well? " She asked.
Is all well? The question repeated in my head and I just shrugged.
"I don't know. Asher-" I started, but stopped myself. I didn't want to speak out of turn, but at the same time, I had to speak about it with someone.
"Go on. Please, don't hold back."
"Well, we were having an actual conversation. A nice conversation. And then I asked one question and he just... left. Like I'd done something terrible."
"Is that so?"
"Yes"
"Asher is a sensitive man," she said gently, sitting on the edge of the bed beside me. "Especially about certain topics."
"The mask."
"Yes." She didn't elaborate. Just looked at me with those warm, understanding eyes.
"I wasn't trying to hurt him," I said, hating how defensive I sounded. "I was just curious. Is that so wrong?"
"No, dear. It's not wrong." Miridath reached over and patted my hand. "But some wounds are deeper than others. And some scars—" She paused meaningfully. "—aren't ready to be seen yet."
I swallowed hard, feeling the anger drain slightly from my chest, replaced by something more complicated. Guilt, maybe. Or understanding.
"I should apologize," I muttered.
"Perhaps. Or perhaps you should give him time to realize he overreacted." Miridath smiled gently. "Either way, you shouldn't hide in here because of it."
"I was thinking about not going to dinner," I admitted. "It's silly, I know, but -"
"Well, that won't do." Her smile widened slightly. "As long as you're under this roof, missing dinner, breakfast or even lunch isn't something I'll tolerate, young miss." She gave me a pointed look. The fine wrinkles around her eyes crinkled. She reminded me of my grandma like this and I smiled. "You should come anyway because I made something very special tonight."
"But I don't really feel like seeing him right now. or rather, I don't know if he'd want to see me after...all that."
"Then see me instead. And Aquila. And enjoy good food in a beautiful room." She stood, picking up the blue dress and holding it out to me. "Don't let one difficult moment steal your entire evening."
I looked at the dress. At Miridath's kind, patient face. At the concern in her eyes that told me she genuinely cared whether I came down or not.
"Don't be offended by his actions," she added softly. "He's carrying more than you know. And sometimes that weight makes him forget how to be gentle."
I took the dress from her hands, running my fingers over the soft fabric. Unlike the other ones, this one was a short, but decent dress that would stop just below my knees.
"This would pair nicely with the black kitten heels, no? Honestly, you might feel... uncomfortable here, but for what it's worth, I'm glad you're here, your presence has been... refreshing."
My chest bloomed. And here I was worried about Aquila's silver tongue.
"Fine," I said finally. "I'll come. But if he's cold to me again, I'm leaving."
"Fair enough, dear." Miridath moved toward the door, pausing at the threshold. "The blue will look lovely with your eyes, by the way. Take your time getting ready. Dinner won't be for another half hour."
She left before I could respond, closing the door gently behind her.
I sat there holding the dress, staring at the pretty embroidery, and let out a long breath.
Maybe she was right. Maybe I shouldn't let
One bad moment ruins everything.
But that didn't mean I wasn't still angry.